Nicole started dancing at the age of three and immediately fell in love with dance. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern and contemporary. Ms. Core studied at Step 1 Dance and Fitness of Pepper Von and Keith Goings, where she was a member of Company and Competition teams. She also studied under the direction of Ron Cisneros at Cisneros Studio of Dance, as well as Carol Warren. As a dancer, Nicole won top honors at numerous competitions all over the US, including placing first place at the NCA/NDA National College Championships and was awarded numerous dance training scholarships for schools all over the US, including the prestigious Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles.

Nicole was awarded a Full dance scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University, where she was a member of the Sea Warriors Performing Company. She was also a member of the CSU, Sacramento dance team. She has performed all over the country including the International Dance Festival in Osaka, Japan. Ms.Core has worked as a performer at Paramount’s Great America. She has performed with the California Musical Theatre Company and the River City Theatre Company.

Nicole’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in International Communications, with a minor in Japanese language. She has credentialing in both single and multiple school subjects, and has a Masters Degree in Global Education. She is certified in both CPR and First Aid.

Nicole finds inspiration in the human experience and in the bonds that people form through movement. Her vision for Tip Tap Toe Dance Studio is to promote a healthy professional environment where dancers of all experiences come together to inspire each other and enrich their surrounding community.

ABOUT OUR TIP TAP TOE TEACHERS

Ms. Jackie, EnCORE Artistic Director

Ms. Jackie has always had a passion for teaching. She believes dancing is a positive and encouraging way to inspire children and adults alike. Her training began when she was a young girl in Benicia, at the age of 6, and continued through Benicia High School's Advanced Dance program under the artistic director, Christine Mani. Throughout these years, she studied ballet, jazz, lyrical and tap. After high school, Ms. Jackie attended Solano Community College where she pursued her dancing passion under Esther Pryor. There she studied ballet, jazz and ballroom. She continued her higher education at San Jose State, majoring in Dance, and received her B.A. in 2014 under the artistic directors, Fred Mathews and Jill Yager. Here she studied a wide variety of dancing including, jazz, ballet, tap, improvisation, choreography and modern. Along with dancing, Ms. Jackie enjoys a wide variety of activities from taking a yoga class to backpacking in Tahoe.

EnCORE questions? Email: EnCORETTT@yahoo.com

Ms. Laura has always had a passion for tumbling, cheering, and fitness. She comes from a competitive cheerleading background. She has over 10 years of competitive cheerleading and tumbling training; which include numbers national and state title. She has been practicing yoga for 5 years, and enjoys lifting weights and going for a nice run at the Benicia state park.

Kellie started dancing at 6 years old and immediately fell in love. She has been trained in ballet, pointe, swing, modern, jazz, and hip hop but has really focused on tap and lyrical. She danced at the same local studio until she graduated from high school. During her high school experience, the highlight of her time there was being a part of the Advanced Dance class and performing during the school’s dance shows. Once she graduated in 2009, Kellie began to take dance classes at Solano Community College. For two years she was a part of another group of amazing dancers that performed in the college’s dance shows. Performing is definitely a strong passion of hers but she is now realizing that teaching young kiddos how to dance is right up there as well. She has taught dance classes previously but has never been as excited as she is to be a part of the Tip Tap Toe teaching staff!

Alison’s love of dance performance and training began at the age of just two-and-a-half years. By the age of five, Alison was invited to become a member of a local competitive dance team. Alison’s training has included: ballet, jazz, musical theater, lyrical, and modern styles. During her ten years as a competitive dance team member, Alison supplemented her training through enrollment in Contra Costa Ballet’s summer intensive program, as well as participating annually at the Tremaine Dance Convention in San Francisco. Some of Alison’s performances include: a halftime performance at a Golden State Warriors basketball game, a guest dancer in the Nutcracker for a Bay Area ballet company, and numerous dance competitions throughout northern California. After competing for 10 years, Alison furthered her dance career by auditioning for Benicia High School’s advanced dance team. Typically reserved for upperclassmen, Alison made the team as a freshman and maintained her spot through all four years of high school. While a part of the BHS advanced dance program, Alison developed her passion for choreography. As both a dance team member and, more recently, as an alumni guest choreographer, Alison has contributed various routines to BHS’s bi-annual dance show. While in high school, Alison was also a 4-year member of the BHS cheerleading team, again taking on choreography and leadership roles. Most recently, Alison has been hired as a dance instructor for the Benicia Unified School District’s Art, Science, and Technology Exploratory Wheel program where she teaches dance at all four of the district’s elementary school’s. Alison is currently attending Napa Valley College with plans to pursuer a career in elementary education.

Miss Hannah graduated from Sonoma State University past Spring with a BA in Theatre Arts and Dance. Since she was young and throughout college she has been training as a dancer, choreographer, teacher and performer. Her passion is for modern technique, ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary styles, as well as yoga and some tumbling/gymnastic techniques!

Leewan Yeoman: I started gymnastics at eight years old and quickly advanced. I enjoyed gymnastics, tap, ballet and jazz while growing up. I was working for the '92 Olympics when I injured my wrist and had to quit competing. Although I could never compete again, it didn't stop me from the sport I enjoyed. I taught cheerleader and gymnastics throughout high school and during college. I now have three children and often volunteer to teach gymnastics at their groups. I have been a faithful parent of TTT since their opening and I'm so excited to be joining the the team of instructors.

Renee Nelson: Ms. Renée started dancing at the age of 4 years old. She trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hula. In high school, she was on the dance team and cheerleading squad. Her love of dance has been passed on to her daughter, who is a Tip Tap Toe dancer. Ms. Renée is a teacher at heart and will find and embrace the opportunity to share the love of dance with her students.